QuestionI have to wipe off these little, tiny, white bugs which I thought were termites but have now after reading found them to possibly be mites? Im very worried and need help. I dint have a photo but there is another person who has seen them and asked you and you answered them being mites and her picture looks exactly the same. How do I get rid of them without damaging any part of my instrument?

AnswerPatricia,

These sound like mold mites (see http://www.livingwithbugs.com/mold_mites.html for more about these mites). The key here is to eliminate moisture and mold, the mites will go away once the area is dry enough that mold won't grow. The mites are harmless and won't damage your clarinet but excess moisture and mold can be an issue. I can't say where the moisture is coming from but check all sources of water.

Expertise

I can answer questions in any area of entomology (study of insects, spiders, mites, ticks, and other terrestrial arthropods). Contact me about home and garden insects, insects that bite and sting, and insects that damage homes such as carpenter ants and termites.

Experience

20 years as university extension entomologist, now retired; currently publish a website about home and garden insects.